Tension device for twine-binders



(No Model.)

B. HA'LLSTROM. TENSION DEVICE FOR TWINE BINDERS.

No. 590,190. Patented Sept. 14,1897. D

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERICK HALLSTROM, OF MONTEVIDEO, MINNESOTA.

TENSION DEVICE FOR TWlNE-B INDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 590,190, datedSeptember 14, 1897. Application filed December 11,1896. Serial No-615,356. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERICK HALLSTROM, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Montevideo, in the county of Chippewa and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in-TensionDevices for Twine-Binders; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention has for itsobject to provide an improved tension deviceespecially adapted for use on harvesters employing twinebinders.

As is well-known, the function of a tension device when used inconnection with this class of binding mechanism, is to hold the twine atsome point between the twine-b0X or twine-holder and the needle undersufficient tension to insure a tightly-bound bundle. This tension ofcourse is not relied upon to compress the bundle, but must,nevertheless, be strong enough to draw the twine tightly against thebundle, which at the time of making the loop or band is compressedbetween the packers and the packer trip or head. The tension thusnecessarily put upon the twine often approaches very closely to thebreaking strength of the twine at its weakest points. It thus becomesobvious that it is of the greatest importance to provide a tensiondevice which, when set to give the proper tension, will remainpractically constant in its action, in one case to prevent the breakingof the twine by an overtension thereon and in the other case to preventthe forming of too-loosely-bound bundles by slipping or too lighttension on the twine. This I accomplish in my present invention by adevice the preferred form of which is illustrated in the-accompanyingdrawings.

In the said drawings, like letters referring to like parts throughoutthe several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the preferredform of my tension device applied in working position, the same beingshown as supported from the twine-box. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thetension-sheave removed from its support and some parts of the same beingbroken away; and Fig. 3 is a view, partly in side elevation and partlyin section,

showing the tension deviceremoved from its a support.

Referring in detail to the parts shown, (1 indicates an ordinarytwine-box provided with a cover a; opening through the center of whichis an eye aithrough which the twine is drawn from the box.

a indicates a bracket which, as shown, is secured to the body of thetwine-box a.

1) indicates a vertical post the lower end offwhich is rigidly securedto the outer end of the bracket (1 by means of a threaded studprojection b and a nut 11 Projecting laterally from the upper end of thepost 1) is a spindle or stud b the outer end of which is screw-threadedand provided with a pair of j am-nuts b 0 indicates a washer looselymounted on a stud 19 just inward of the nuts b and 0 indicates a flangedthirnble, also loose onthe stud b inward of said washer c, with itsflanged 'portion turned inward toward the,

post b.

indicates a coiled spring located on the stud Z2 and compressed betweenthe post I) and the flange of the thimble c by the jamnuts b Looselymountedon'the thimble 0', but frictionally pressed between the washer cand the flange of said thirnble c, is a tensionsheave formed by a pairof flaring guide or side disks 9, spaced apart from each other andhaving rigidly secured therewith and therebetween a series of thinserrated disks g, which in diameter are less than the said disks g, andthe teeth of which are set in zigzag order. The serrated orsharply-roughened surface formed by the disks g forms a bearing-surfaceover which the twine z is to be passed on its way from the twine-box tothe needle, and which, while it permits the cord to be drawnfreely,.will not permit the same to slide or slip with respect to thesheave. In other words, the twine cannot be drawn without causing thesheave to revolve. The serrated disks 9' form a sharply-roughenedsurface over which the twine will pass without possibility of slipping,and at the same time the twine will not be crowded or wedged between theside disks As shown, the twine is guided and is held so that it will notjump from the groove in ICO the periphery of the sheave by means of aguide-arm 10, one end of which is shown as secured to the post I) bymeans of a machinescrew k,and the free end of which is provided with aguide-eye 10 through which the twine is passed.

Asis evident, the tension under which the tension-sheave g 9' may becaused to rotate may be variably set so as to suit the conditions ofdifferent grades or sizes of twine simply by screwing up or looseningthe jamnuts b so as to vary the tension of the spring f on the saidsheave.

From the foregoing it is thought to be clear that while I haveillustrated my tension device as supported from the twine-box the samemight be located at any point between the twine-box and the needle. Infact, with many binders I prefer to support the tension device from thebinder-frame and in close proximity with the needle.

It will also be understood from the statements above made that variousalterations in the specific details of construction above set forth maybe made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is as follows:

A tension device for a twine-binder or similar mechanism, involving arotary sheave made up of side pieces or guide-disks, pressed togetherand a series of serrated central disks set in zigzag order and securedbetween said side pieces, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I wit: my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\ ERICK HALLSTROM.

Witnesses:

LILLIAN O. ELMORE, F. D. MERCHANT.

